DCLM Daily Manna 16 November 2025 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Cost Of Wars

TOPIC: The Cost Of Wars (DCLM Daily Manna 16 November 2025)

KEY VERSE: “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt”. (Deuteronomy 20:1).

TEXT: Deuteronomy 20:1-9 (KJV)

1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,

3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;

4 For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.

7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.

9 And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

U.S. Army Veteran William Meinert said, from experience, while analysing the options of war or peace: “The cost of going to war is always more expensive, both in terms of money spent and lives ruined and lost. An aircraft can last twenty years, fly hundreds of sorties, and fulfil its mission in peace. In war, it may be destroyed on the first day and must be replaced. A soldier can serve for thirty years, raise a family, retire, and pursue a new career. He may die childless in the first minutes of a conflict. He may also serve a tour in a war zone and spend the rest of his life crippled with mental illness, forcing others to help him with their time and money.” War is always to be avoided unless it becomes the only option.

In today’s passage, God tells the Israelites that war was the only option for surviving the hostilities from enemy nations. However, the military might of their enemies would not determine the outcome, as victory was always assured for God’s people. After all, God brought them out of Egypt despite the superpower status of their oppressors.

The priests were given the responsibility to encourage the people not to fear, bear the Ark of the Covenant, and offer sacrifices and prayers to God before the battle began. Those whose conditions would make them reluctant to fight were to be excused from battles. These include anyone who newly bought a house and had not dedicated it, planted a vineyard and had not eaten of it, or betrothed a wife and had not taken her in – lest they die in battle and leave all their possessions to others. Also excluded were the fearful so they would not weaken the faith of others.

Wars are costly and disruptive. But the Christian is not called to fight physical wars against flesh and blood but a spiritual battle. In this fight of faith, as in the case of Israel, God remains our confidence and we need not fear the foe because our victory is guaranteed. God requires us to be brave and true. Those who are reluctant, fearful, pleasure-seeking, and worldly-minded are still not suitable for the army of the Lord.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Even in spiritual wars, there is still room for gallantry.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezekiel 18-21

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2025 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.